VALDOSTA —
For two seasons, Valdosta State fans saw the No. 15 uniform of Harrison Dreiling make plays all over the field. From tackles to interceptions to fumble recoveries, Dreiling became a staple on the Blazer defense in 2010 and ’11.
Unfortunately for VSU fans, the All-American Dreiling graduated, this leaving a giant hole in the Blazers’ secondary. A hole that will likely be filled by junior Lance Holder.
A former cornerback for the Blazers, Holder, a native of Lawrenceville, made the switch to safety during spring practice and has continued his work at the position this fall camp.
“It is pretty good,” said Holder of fall camp. “I am learning a lot — a lot more in detail. It is a good transition for me.”
The transition is one that Holder isn’t taking lightly, but one that he is accepting with a positive outlook, saying he learned a lot from Dreiling the past two seasons and that he hopes he can use that knowledge moving forward.
“I learned a lot from Harrison watching him when I was playing behind him,” Holders said. “I am just trying to contribute to the defense the best way I can.”
“He still has a lot to learn, but I have been pleased with how he has picked things up,” said head coach David Dean. “You could start to see that about halfway through spring when we moved him. We figured out at the end that was going to be a good move for us and a good move for him. He is a smart kid, a lot like Harrison, he just doesn’t have the football savvy at the safety position yet, but I think he can.”
The move from cornerback to safety is one that poses problems for many players. In 2009, cornerback Matt Pierce, a freshman at the time, was moved to safety and struggled. He returned to his corner position the following season and has since excelled; earlier this summer, he was named a preseason All-American.
For Holder, the move to safety isn’t as hard as it may seem for others, largely because he played the position in high school when he was with the Central Gwinnett Black Knights. If anything, Holder said the time he spent at cornerback made him a better safety.
“I was a safety in high school,” Holder said. “So it was kind of second nature. This feels good. At corner I am good with my man skills, so I can take that to safety.”
The last line of defense for the Blazers this season, Holder and two-year starter Chris Caspari have formed a strong relationship, both on and off the field, that they hope will help them in the secondary this season.
The relationship dates back to high school when the two trained with one another, despite playing for rival high schools.
“We have a little bond there,” Holder said. “It is a good friendship.”
That relationship will be key for the Blazers to succeed this season, said Dean.
“Anytime you are the deep guys, you are what is called the safeties, you have to be able to work together,” said Dean of Caspari and Holder. “I think they do a good job at that. They are both cerebral kids. They can get us lined up, they can see the things in front of us and get us set in some good positions.”
In 2012, the Blazers return several key members of the defense, including Caspari and Pierce in the secondary, along with linebackers Chris Pope and Ryan Smith and linemen Tyler Josey, Lawrence Virgil and Tevin Davis.
With all the returning stars, many eyes will be focused on Holder in the season opener Sept. 1 at Saginaw Valley State (Mich.) to see if he can handle the pressure of replacing Dreiling, who finished his career with 165 total tackles, nine interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
For Holder it is simple, he just needs to make a few plays to help the team and the rest will take care of itself.
“(Harrison) basically told me to just make plays,” said Holder of the challenge.
“He told me to be patient and make plays and have trust...I just want to make plays, get interceptions and contribute any way I can to my team and get us to that ship. That is what I am planning on doing.”
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Related Photos
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Lance Holder chases a running back during Saturday’s preseason practice. Ed Hooper | The Valdosta Daily Times
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Lance Holder will be the replacement for All-American Harrison Dreiling at safety for Valdosta State. Ed Hooper | The Valdosta Daily Times
Discussion
Holder looking to fill shoes of Dreiling
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